U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt has faced intensified scrutiny regarding his voting attendance after narrowly arriving in Washington to secure the Republican defeat of a resolution aimed at curtailing military actions in Venezuela. This incident marked only the fourth time Hunt has participated in a House vote this year, out of a total of 48 votes since Congress reconvened earlier this month.
The Houston Republican’s absence from the House floor coincides with his primary challenge against U.S. Senator John Cornyn. Cornyn has capitalized on Hunt’s inconsistent voting record, targeting him with sharp criticisms on social media platforms. In defense of Hunt’s absences, a spokesperson asserted that his campaign efforts across Texas have not hindered the progress of any legislative measures important to the GOP.
On social media, Hunt responded to the backlash regarding his missed votes, stating that running for higher office inevitably results in some absences. He emphasized his active campaigning across Texas, dismissing concerns raised by critics.
During Thursday’s vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana kept the session open for over twenty minutes while awaiting Hunt’s arrival, which prompted frustration from Democrats who urged Johnson to conclude the voting process. Hunt’s voting record reveals that he has missed 92% of votes this year, increasing his overall absenteeism rate to 20% since taking office in 2023. Notably, Thursday’s vote was his first participation since January 7.
According to GovTrack, the median missed vote percentage among current representatives stands at a mere 2%. In contrast, Austin Republican Rep. Chip Roy has not missed any votes this month, and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat from Dallas who is running against Hunt in the Democratic primary, has missed only two votes.
Senator Cornyn, who has missed just one vote this year, has consistently criticized Hunt for his attendance issues, even launching a dedicated website to spotlight the matter. A spokesperson for Cornyn’s campaign stated that Hunt is prioritizing personal political ambitions over fulfilling his congressional duties.
In the upcoming primary, Hunt will also contend with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has notably refrained from commenting on Hunt’s voting record. Previously, Hunt attributed his absences to the early birth of his son in 2023 and his campaign activities alongside former President Donald Trump in 2024.
The current Republican majority in the House is precarious, especially following the recent passing of California Rep. Dough LaMalfa and the mid-session departure of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. The GOP now holds 218 seats compared to the Democrats’ 213, leaving no room for error on party-line votes.
Earlier on the same day, Hunt missed a crucial procedural vote concerning four appropriations bills, which included funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Speaker Johnson expressed surprise at Hunt’s absence, as he had anticipated his participation.
Among Texas lawmakers, only Rep. Greg Casar, a Democrat from Austin, has also missed over half of the roll call votes in recent days, with approximately 58% of votes missed since the start of the year.
